“A reality check” – why Lando Norris was expecting poor Monaco qualifying

Lando Norris qualified eighth for the Monaco Grand Prix, his worst qualifying result of the 2026 season so far, due to a known weakness in his McLaren's front-end feel and ongoing electrical issues. The team was forced to break curfew overnight in Monaco to replace Norris's wiring harness and other electrical components after his car stopped during FP2. His 2026 title defense is being compared to Sebastian Vettel's difficult 2014 season, with McLaren accumulating a series of small but damaging setbacks, including neither car finishing the Chinese Grand Prix.